Géomorphologie : relief, processus, environnement, 2005, n° 3, p. 227-234

Assessment, protection, and promotion of geomorphological and geological sites in the Aegean area, Évaluation, protection et promotion des sites géomorphologiques et géologiques de la région égéenne, Grèce

Nikolaus Zouros*

Abstract The Aegean region is characterised by a high geodiversity due to its complex geological setting and to the related relief and landscape features. A large number of geomorphological and geological sites with high potential for scientific, educational and tourist use, are present. A first attempt to present an inventory of major geomorphological and geological sites showing a monumental character was completed recently. Some of these sites, already protected, help in raising public awareness to the values of the geological heritage. The Lesvos petrified forest is the first Greek geopark. A programme for assessing, protecting, and promoting the Lesvos island geosites has been initiated, which includes a management plan and walking trails linking geomorphological and geological sites. The sites of geomorphological interest along these itineraries provide opportunities to introduce visitors to several natural processes and have become tourist attractions. Key words: geomorphological sites, geological sites, geodiversity, assessment, management, geopark, Aegean area, Greece. Résumé La région de l’Egée est caractérisée par une importante diversité, due à sa structure géologique complexe et aux reliefs et paysages variés qui lui sont associés. Dans cette région, un grand nombre de sites géomorphologiques et géologiques offrent un potentiel élevé pour des usages scientifiques, éducatifs et touristiques. Le premier pas en vue de la création d’un inventaire des plus importants sites géomorphologiques et géologiques ayant un caractère monumental a été achevé récemment. Certains de ces sites, qui sont d’ores et déjà protégés, contribuent à renforcer la sensibilisation du public vis-à-vis de la valeur du patrimoine géologique. La forêt pétrifiée de Lesvos constitue le premier géoparc grec dans lequel un programme d’évaluation, de protection et de mise en valeur des sites géologiques a été développé. Ce dernier comprend un plan de gestion et la création de chemins qui, balisés pour la randonnée pédestre, relient les principaux sites géomorphologiques et géologiques. Les sites d’intérêt géomorphologique qui sont identifiés le long des ces chemins balisés favorisent la sensibilisation des visiteurs aux processus naturels et représentent aussi une attraction touristique. Mots clés : sites géomorphologiques, sites géologiques, géodiversité, évaluation, gestion, géoparc, Egée, Grèce.

Version française abrégée dépourvu de valeur légale. La publication de cet « Atlas des monuments géologiques de l’Egée » constitue tout de même Malgré les efforts réalisés durant la dernière décennie à le premier pas vers la reconnaissance de ces géosites par les propos de l’évaluation, de la protection et de la promotion autorités locales, les habitants et par les visiteurs de cette du patrimoine géologique et géomorphologique en Grèce, région (Velitzelos et al., 2003). l’absence d’un véritable inventaire national des géosites L’île de Lesvos, située au nord-est de la mer Egée, couvre d’intérêt naturel empêche l’inscription des éléments abio- une surface de 1 630 km2. Le centre et l’ouest de l’île sont tiques dans les plans de protection de la nature mis en constitués principalement de roches volcaniques d’âge néo- oeuvre par l’État. Un premier inventaire a toutefois été gène. Dans la partie occidentale de l’île, des centaines de publié récemment (Velitzelos et al., 2003) : il regroupe troncs, qui ont été recouverts et fossilisés lors des éruptions 317 géosites au sein des îles égéennes, ainsi que la zône volcaniques du Miocène inférieur, constituent la célèbre côtière de la Grèce continentale, mais il est à ce jour Forêt pétrifiée de Lesvos (Velitzelos et Zouros, 2000). Ce

* Department of Geography, University of the Aegean, , GR–81103, Greece. E-mail: [email protected] Nikolaus Zouros site est protégé par un décret présidentiel depuis 1985. Uti- acter can be defined as natural monuments. Such sites, be- lisant la même méthodologie mise en œuvre pour sides their scientific and educational importance, are areas of l’inventaire de l’Egée, celui des 53 géosites de l’île de Les- natural beauty. Combining and promoting the geomorpho- vos a été réalisé et une carte a pu être dressée (fig. 1). logical and geological heritage, together with the ecological En parallèle, le premier géoparc de Grèce a été créé au- and cultural dimensions of a visit in the area, could un- tour de la forêt pétrifiée de Lesvos. En 2000, ce géoparc a doubtedly offer numerous benefits for the development of été l’un des quatre premiers fondés dans le cadre du Réseau alternative forms of geotourism. européen des géoparcs (Zouros, 2004). L’expérience montre Although several attempts were made during the past que dans le cas de l’île de Lesvos, le géoparc de la Forêt pé- decade in order to draw up a national inventory of geosites, trifiée constitue un instrument approprié pour identifier, no official inventory exists in Greece as yet. The first évaluer, protéger et promouvoir les géosites. Le géoparc a attempt was made by the Greek Institute of Geology and en effet été l’occasion de développer des mesures visant à Mining Research (IGME) and a list of 50 geosites was sub- protéger et à promouvoir les géosites inventoriés sur son mitted to the Ministry of Culture, but without further result. territoire. De telles mesures englobent : 1) l’entretien régu- In 1985, the first site, the Petrified forest of Lesvos, initial- lier et la protection des géosites contre les actes de vanda- ly protected for its geological characteristics, was declared a lisme ; 2) la réalisation d’infrastructures de protection protected natural monument (Presidential Decree 433/ contre l’altération et l’érosion des sites ; 3) la protection 1985). In 1986, the Environmental Protection Law was particulière des géosites les plus vulnérables (en interdisant adopted, which refers also to the protection of abiotic com- leur accès, par exemple) ; 4) l’interprétation de tous les ponents of Nature. géosites par le biais de panneaux d’information, de bro- Following international initiatives (Martini, 1993; O’Hal- chures et de guides d’excursions ; 5) l’organisation d’acti- loran et al., 1994), a working group for the protection of the vités sur ces sites (programmes d’éducation, randonnées geological heritage in Greece was formed in 1995 by IGME guidées le long des sentiers reliant ces espaces protégés, ac- and was enlarged with the contribution of scientists from the tivités récréatives liées à ces derniers, etc.). En ce sens, les universities and other institutions. Since then several initia- géoparcs sont conduits à devenir des lieux privilégiés pour tives have been taken for protecting and promoting sensibiliser le public à la valeur du patrimoine géolo- gique et géomorphologique et en assurer la protection en même temps.

Introduction

The Aegean area is classi- fied as one of the most ac- tive regions of the Earth’s surface due to its intense tectonic activity. Examples of important geomorpho- logical, geological and palaeontological sites asso- ciated with numerous geo- logical phenomena and pro- cesses can be seen through- out the Aegean region: vol- canoes, narrow valleys and gorges, caves and other karstic landforms, rare rocks and minerals, thermal springs and geothermal Photo 1 – An impressive volcanic geosite in the Aegean sea. Santorini caldera, formed by a fields, major fossil sites, catastrophic eruption 3600 years ago, which demolished a large part of the volcano. The multicoloured layers of pyroclastics, lavas and pumice deposits resulted from the successive eruptions during the last large geological faults, ore 2,5 million years built up of the caldera margins. mines, stone quarries and spectacular landscapes. Ge- Photo 1 – Un géosite volcanique impressionnant de la région de la mer Egée. La caldeira de l’île de Santorin a été formée par une éruption catastrophique ayant provoqué la démolition d’une grande partie omorphological, geological du volcan il y a 3600 ans. Les couches aux couleurs variées de pyroclastes, de laves et de ponces and palaeontological sites déposées au cours d’éruptions successives durant 2,5 millions d’années ont construit les bords de la having a monumental char- caldeira.

228 Géomorphologie : relief, processus, environnement, 2005, n° 3, p. 227-234 Assessment, protection, and promotion of geomorphological and geological sites in the Agean area important geological and geomorphological sites. In the Geological and geomorphological frame of the Geosites project, an International Union of monuments in the Aegean area Geological Sciences (IUGS) initiative for the inventory and compilation of the global geosites list, a geosites framework The main goals of the Aegean project were to produce a list for South Eastern European countries was prepared list of typical geomorphological and geological sites (Theodosiou-Drandaki et al., 2003). exhibiting a monumental character, which should highlight In 1998, the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petri- the geomorphological and geological wealth of the Aegean fied Forest, in collaboration with the Departments of area and help to draw comparisons among different land- Geology of the Universities of and Thessaloniki and scapes of the Aegean islands that share similar geological the Department of Geography of the University of the histories. An inventory of 317 geosites was created, taking Aegean, started a new effort for the selection and assess- into account the main scientific bibliography and following ment of geomorphological and geological sites in the broad cartographic analysis, remote sensing, ground survey, and Aegean area, in the frame of a project financed by the Min- mapping. The above-mentioned geosites were selected and istry of the Aegean. The result was the creation of the Atlas categorised into 13 main thematic classes based on the spe- of the geological monuments of the Aegean (Velitzelos et cific characteristic of the study area and on similar al., 2003; Zouros et al., 2004). categorisation in the international literature (Ellis et al., The main objectives of this paper are to present the current 1996; Glasser, 2001; Gray, 2004). situation in terms of identification of monumental geosites in Subsequently, an evaluation process was performed to the broader Aegean area (including islands and a broad assign a geomorphological and geological value to all sites coastal zone) and the results of the geosite management on in each of the above categories. This evaluation process was Lesvos island. based on the following criteria: 1) scientific and educational value (integrity, rarity, representativeness, and exemplarity); Geosite protection 2) natural beauty and aesthetic value; 3) cultural interest; 4) geodiversity; 5) potential threats and protection needs (legal and geoparks protection, vulnerability); and 6) potential for use (recogniz- ability, geographical distribution, accessibility, and potential During the last decade several international initiatives for generating economic activities). were established aiming at protecting, promoting, and ratio- The incorporation of criterion 1 in the evaluation process nally managing geosites through the creation of geoparks. was performed by assigning a numerical value (within a The geopark concept was developed mainly in Europe in range 40-4) based on the integrity (10-1), rarity (10-1), rep- cooperation with UNESCO (Eder and Patzak, 2004). resentativeness (10-1), and exemplarity (10-1) of each site. According to a UNESCO recommendation “the potential of Criteria 2 and 3 were incorporated by assigning a maximum geoparks is to be used as a basis for enhancing the promotion (10) or minimum value (1) based on their designation or of geological heritage in order to educate the public at large lack of designation by the national or regional legislation as in geological sciences and in environmental matters; ensure a landscape of outstanding natural beauty or cultural land- sustainable development (geotourism); and protect endan- scape. A numerical value (10-1) was assigned to criterion 4 gered geological heritage sites for future generations” based on the number of geological and geomorphological (UNESCO, 2004). phenomena that appear in each site. Criterion 5 was taken In June 2000, four European territories presenting a par- into account by assigning a value of 5 or 1 for the existence ticular geological and geomorphological heritage, among of legal protection or its absence, respectively. Similarly the them the Petrified Forest of Lesvos, created the European presence and the magnitude of potential threats were taken Geoparks Network. The main objective was to cooperate in into account by assigning a value from 5 to 1. A numerical protecting the geological heritage and promoting a sustain- value (20-1) was assigned for criterion 6 based on the recog- able development of their territories through geotourism nisability, geographical distribution, accessibility, and (Zouros, 2004). In 2004 the network, operated with the sup- potential for generating economic activities of each site. port of UNESCO, has expanded to include 21 territories The monuments were classified in 5 groups: international, across eight European countries. These Geopark authorities European, national, regional, and local according to the have endeavoured to identify and protect geosites through- importance of the site. Table 1 presents the most important out their territory. Geosites are interlinked by a network of monumental geosites in the Aegean area. The publication of walking trails, benefit from protection and management the “Atlas of the geological monuments of the Aegean” measures (fencing, preservation, etc.), and are used for the (Velitzelos et al., 2003) is the first attempt towards the interpretation of the geological history of each territory. In recognition of all geomorphological and geological sites by February 2004, UNESCO established the Global Network the local authorities, inhabitants and visitors of the area. It of Geoparks. Based on the evaluation of the existing geop- will help the public to understand the richness of our natural arks, the International Advisory Group of Experts decided to heritage and the complex processes, which create the unique include at that time the existing 17 European Geoparks and Aegean landscapes. It will also help the local society to 8 Chinese Geoparks in the Global UNESCO Network of understand the immense value of the natural environment of Geoparks (Eder and Patzak, 2004; Zouros, 2004). the Aegean and to raise awareness for its protection.

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Fig. 1 – Géosites de l’Île Lesvos. Fig. parc 2 : pétrifiée ; parc de la Forêt 1 : parc 3 : Nissiopi ; parc 4 : ; Plaka site 6 : parc Skamiouda ; 5 : ; site fossilifère 7 : d’ ; fossilifère site fossilifère 8 : de Mesotopos ; de site fossilifère 9 : d’Eressos ; de site fossilifère 10 : Rougada ; de site fossilifère 11 : ; Molyvos-Petra de site fossilifère 12 : Lapsarna ; de site fossilifère 13 : Chamandroula ; Gavathas de site fossilifère 14 : ; de Metohi site fossilifère 15 : ; ; Vatera 17 : ; d’Akrohiras site fossilifère 16 : 18 : ; Lofos de Mavros site fossilifère 19 : de Sarakina site fossilifère 20 : de Lepetymnos ; caldeira caldeira 21 : ; Vatoussa de caldeira dôme de Mesotopos ; 22 : ; d’Agra 23 neck 24 : dôme d’Ipsilou ; : orgues 25 : ; de Petra volcanique dyke 26 : ; basaltiques de Panagia de Filia dyke 27 : ; d’Alifada 28 : ; 29 : orgues basaltiques d’ ; orgues 30 : dôme d’Eressos ; orgues 31 : ; basaltiques de Pelopi 32 : ; basaltiques de Molyvos source 33 : ignimbrites d’Achladeri ; source 34 : thermale ; de Gera source 35 : Thermi thermale ; de source 36 : thermale ; de Lisvori source 37 : ; thermale de source 38 : thermale de Argenos ; formes 39 : thermale d’Eftalou ; ; Vatoussa d’érosion sphériques de 41 : de Lapsarna ; falaises 40 : grotte 42 : ; Voulgaris gorges de Taxiarhon de grotte 43 : d’Antissa ; ; grotte 45 : de Mihos ; grotte 44 : ; plis de Faneromeni 46 : ; d’Alifada de Gera du golfe faille 47 : faille 48 : ; d’Agia faille 49 : de Larsos ; tectonique fenêtre 50 : ; Paraskevi 52 : ; Vatera de faille 51 : d’Olympos ; 53 : ancienne carrière de Moria ; mines 54 : ; mines du nord de Lesvos de magnésite. 1: Petrified Forest park; 2: Nissiopi park; 3: Sigri park; 4: Plaka park; 5: Skamiouda park; 6: Antissa fossiliferous site Antissa fossiliferous 6: Skamiouda park; 5: Plaka park; 4: Sigri park; 3: Nissiopi park; 2: park; Forest Petrified 1: Geosites in Lesvos Island. 1 – Geosites in Lesvos Fig. (=f.s.); 7: Mesotopos f.s. ; 8: Eressos f.s.; 9: Rougada f.s.; 10: Molyvos-Petra f.s.; 11: Lapsarna f.s.; 12: Chamandroula f.s.; 13: Gavathas f.s.; 14: Vatera f.s.; Vatera 14: f.s.; Gavathas 13: Chamandroula f.s.; 12: Lapsarna f.s.; 11: f.s.; Molyvos-Petra 10: Rougada f.s.; 9: Eressos f.s.; 8: ; Mesotopos f.s. 7: (=f.s.); Mesotopos 22: Caldera; Agra 21: Caldera; Vatoussa 20: Lepetymnos Caldera; 19: f.s. Sarakina 18: f.s.; Lofos Mavros 17: f.s.; Akrohiras 16: Eressos Metohi f.s.; 29: 15: Anemotia Columnar Lavas; 28: Vein; Filia 27: Vein; Alifada 26: Columnar Lavas; Panagia 25: Neck; Volcanic Petra 24: Ipsilou Dome; 23: Dome; hot Lisvori 35: Thermi hot springs; 34: hot springs; Gera 33: Achladeri Ignimbrites; 32: Columnar Lavas; Molyvos 31: Columnar Lavas; Pelopi 30: Dome; 41: Lapsarna Cliffs; 40: Spheroidal Erosional landforms; Vatoussa 39: Eftalou hot springs; 38: Argenos hot springs; 37: hot springs; 49: Polichnitos 36: Larsos Fault; springs; 48: Gulf Fault; Gera 47: Folds; Faneromeni 46: Cave; Alifada 45: Mihos Cave; 44: Cave; Taxiarhon 43: Antissa Cave; 42: Gorge; Voulgaris Magnesite Mines. 54: Mines; N.Lesvos 53: Moria Ancient Quarry; 52: Fault; Vatera 51: Window; Tectonic Olympos 50: Fault; Agia Paraskevi

230 Géomorphologie : relief, processus, environnement, 2005, n° 3, p. 227-234 Assessment, protection, and promotion of geomorphological and geological sites in the Agean area

Lesvos is part of a belt of late Oligocene to middle Miocene calc- alcaline to shoshonitic volcanism of the northern and central Aegean Sea and western Anatolia. In the central part of the island a series of volcanic centres is located along a SW-NE direction. The main vol- canic sequence consists of an- desite, dacite, and basalt lavas, ign- imbrites, and a thick pyroclastic se- quence (Pe-Piper and Piper, 2002), that are connected with the devel- opment of the Lesvos petrified for- est. Associated with volcanic rock formations on the western part of the island, hundreds of standing and lying fossilised tree trunks occur (photo 3). The fossil sites comprise the well-known “Petri- fied Forest of Lesvos” over an area of 15,000 ha. Early Miocene vol- Photo 2 – Mushroom rock in pyroclastic rocks of Kimolos Island due to wind erosion. canic eruptions resulted in the flow Photo 2 – Rocher-champignon dû à la corrasion éolienne de matériaux pyroclastiques sur of pyroclastic material that covered l’île de Kimolos. the trunks, branches, fruits and leaves of the trees. The isolation of The presentation of the sites was made in three different the plant fibbers from external conditions and the ensuing map scales, one map (scale 1:1,000,000) that covers the intense hydrothermic circulation allowed for the perfect sili- whole area with location of the geological monuments, cification of the plants. Palaeobotanical studies show that 9 maps (scale 1:500,000) covering the continental coastal area and the islands Euboea and Crete, and 32 maps (scale 1:250,000) that cover all the other islands of the Aegean. Sixteen special pictograms representing different categories of geological monuments were designed in order to replace the classical geometric symbols, to mark the location of the monuments in the maps. Digital elevation models were used in order to create the 3D topographical background of the maps instead of the classical contour lines. All sites are illus- trated with spectacular photographs (photos 1 and 2). Geosite assessment in the Lesvos Island

The Island of Lesvos is located in the NE of the Aegean Sea and covers an area of 1630 km2. Neogene volcanic rocks dominate the central and western part of the island.

Photo 3 – Typical standing petrified trunk of a conifer Taxodioxylon gypsaceum in the Petrified Forest Park, in Lesvos Island. Erosional processes of the pyroclastic rocks along Tsichliontas river valley uncover hundreds of standing and lying petrified tree trunks, buried in situ after a volcanic eruption during early Miocene times. Photo 3 – Tronc typique pétrifié sur pied d’un conifère de l’espèce Taxodioxylon gypsaceum dans le Parc de la Forêt Pétrifiée sur l’île de Lesvos. L’érosion des dépôts pyroclastiques par la rivière de Tsichliontas met à jour des centaines de troncs d’arbres pétrifiés sur pied ou tombés à terre, qui ont été enterrés in situ lors d’une éruption volcanique au début du Miocène.

Géomorphologie : relief, processus, environnement, 2005, n° 3, p. 227-234 231 Nikolaus Zouros

Photo 4 – Columnar lavas of Pelopi due to fast cooling of the intruded lava into softer pyroclastic material on the Lepetymnos volcano flank, Lesvos Island. Subse- quent erosion has left the resident dyke standing as an abrupt natural wall. Photo 4 – Orgues basal- tiques de Pelopi formées en raison du refroidisse- ment rapide d’intrusions de lave dans des matériaux pyroclastiques tendres sur les flancs du volcan de Leptymnos sur l’île de Les- vos. L’érosion a dégagé le dyke, formant un mur naturel.

the floral composition of the early Miocene forest was dominated by an- giosperms and gym- nosperms (conifers) and had a low proportion of pteridophytes (ferns) (Suss and Velitzelos, 1993, 1994; inventory. A new geosite map of the Lesvos island was pub- Velitzelos and Zouros, 1998, 2000). lished (fig. 1). Geosites within the Lesvos petrified forest A research study and field survey on Lesvos, carried out geopark in the volcanic terrains of Lesvos, apart from the by the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified For- fossil sites, include the volcanic calderas of Lepetymnos, est and the Department of Geography of the University of Vatousa and Agra, volcanic structures like the Pelopi the Aegean, has been aimed at better understanding the ge- columnar lavas (photo 4), the Petra volcanic neck (photo 5), ological evolution of the island and the origin of the petri- the Filia veins, the Ipsilou and Messotopos domes, the Er- fied forest. A number of geosites was identified, assessed, essos laccoliths, and impressive volcanic landscapes like and mapped using the same methodology as in the Aegean those formed by the Polichnitos ignimbrite formation in

Photo 5 – Volcanic neck of Petra rises abruptly above the surrounding land on Lesvos Island. Milenia of erosion removed the less resistant material that made up the cone, leaving the harder, andecitic lava choked neck as a conspicuous remnant. Photo 5 – Le neck volcanique de Petra s’élève abruptement au-dessus du niveau de la terre dans l’île de Lesvos. L’érosion a emporté les matériaux peu résistants formant le cône pour ne conserver que les andésites de la cheminée volcanique, créant ainsi un neck.

232 Géomorphologie : relief, processus, environnement, 2005, n° 3, p. 227-234 Assessment, protection, and promotion of geomorphological and geological sites in the Agean area

Achladeri and Antissa areas. Most of them are observable The Lesvos Petrified Forest Geopark integrates the range due to the erosion. of resources found in the broader region, including the exist- Other geosites represent active and evolving geomorpho- ing geological tourist attractions (the petrified forest park logical landforms, including tectonically active fault scarps, and the museum), the new parks created on important fossil geothermal fields, karst and caves, and coastal and fluvial sites (the Sigri park and the Plaka park), the various inter- landforms. Such geosites are the Larsos Sand kamiouda preted geosites, enchanting landscapes, wetlands, sites of fault scarps, Gavathas fault and Nisiopi fault system, natural beauty and ecological value, as well as cultural mon- impressive gorges like those of the Voulgaris and Tsichlion- uments (the Sigri castle, the Ypsilou monastery, the Eressos tas rivers, deltas and wetlands like those formed by the Tsik- acropolis), picturesque villages, traditional gastronomy and nias and Tsichliontas rivers, the Antissa cave which is con- local products. A broad range of activities combine the main nected with the legend of Opheas, the Lapsarna coastal high components for the operation of Lesvos Geopark, including cliffs, and the hot springs of Polychnitos, Geras, Efthalou scientific research, the creation of the geosite inventory and and Argenos. Along the north-western coast of the island map, the protection, interpretation and promotion of intense erosional processes uncovered the basement of the geosites, the conservation of fossils, the creation of visiting island, which is considered as a probable remnant of the parks, the establishment of a network of walking trails link- Cimmerian continent (Mountrakis, 1986; Katsikatsos et al., ing geosites to ecotourism infrastructures, the development 1986; Papanikolaou, 1989) composed by a Permo-triassic of environmental education programmes on geosites, the rock sequence including micaschists, quartzites, metasand- organisation of scientific and cultural events, and the pro- stones, phyllites and carbonates as well as remnants of a motion of monumental geosites. Tethyan ophiolithic nappe. Several stratigraphic geosites The Lesvos petrified forest geopark applies certain man- show the relations between the different stratigraphic units agement measures for the protection, conservation and (alpine basement and post alpine volcanics) in Sigri, promotion of the inventory of geosites present in the territo- Faneromeni, Lapsarna and Gavathas sites. ry. These measures comprise: 1) regular maintenance (fencing, cleaning) and janitor services to protect geosites Geosite management in against abuse and vandalism; 2) geosite monitoring provid- ing the necessary measures and protective installations the Lesvos Petrified Forest Geopark against weathering and erosion; 3) treatment of vulnerable geosites with annual conservation and protective measures Aiming at protecting and efficiently managing the petrified (preparation, sealing); 4) interpretation of geosites with forest, the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified onsite information panels, leaflets and field guides, and; 5) Forest was founded in 1994. It is a non-profit organisation organisation of on-site activities (education programmes, and defines the management structure of the Lesvos Petri- guided trekking on geosite trails, various recreation activi- fied Forest Geopark. Its seven-member board encompasses ties in the vicinity of geosites, etc.) that assist in raising representatives of the central government, the local authori- public awarness about the importance of geosites. ties, universities and the local community. Its scientific, The main geotouristic infrastructure in the Lesvos geopark technical and administrative staff includes 8 permanent and is the creation of “lava paths” that invite the visitor to follow 25 temporary employees. The Lesvos Petrified Forest Geop- the ancient path of the pyroclastic flows from the main vol- ark comprises a core zone (15,000 hectares of the petrified canoes to the petrified forest. These are footpaths that link forest protected area) and a broad buffer zone (more than the various geosites and other sites of interest throughout the 20,000 hectares of the central volcanic terrains). geopark. Panels along the footpaths provide information A strategic plan for the sustainable development of the area about the different geosites that the visitor will encounter has been carried out by the Lesvos Geopark in order to link along the way. On entering the Lesvos geopark region, signs the protection and promotion of geosites with the develop- along the Mytilene--Sigri road direct the visitor ment of geotourism. This plan takes into consideration the towards the Petrified Forest and demarcate the borders of results of the research and excavations in the petrified forest the protected area. Walking trails start from different points area, the presence of important geosites (i.e. volcanic struc- along the main road. The Lesvos geopark has also created tures, domes, craters, and thermal springs) and biological links with local tourist enterprises, handicrafts and women reserves, the existence of spot interventions and infrastruc- cooperatives producing local food and drinks. tures as well as the local economic activities. Geosites are the essential elements for the Lesvos Geopark, providing Conclusion information to the Geopark visitors on the importance of the geological and geomorphological processes for the develop- Although several efforts have been carried out during the ment of the area. Thus local people also realise that certain last decade in terms of assessing, protecting, and promoting “rocks” in the vicinity of their houses represent remnants of geomorphological and geological heritage in Greece, the outstanding phenomena and processes and demonstrate the lack of a national inventory of sites still keeps the elements geological history of their living area. In this way certain of abiotic nature away from state nature protection plans. rock formations gain a new identity for the people and at the Recently, an inventory was published, which includes same time become objects to be respected and protected. 317 geosites covering the Aegean islands and the coastal

Géomorphologie : relief, processus, environnement, 2005, n° 3, p. 227-234 233 Nikolaus Zouros

area of the mainland, but a legal recognition of this is still O’Halloran D., Green C., Harley M., Stanley M., Knill J. (Eds) lacking. The publication of the Atlas of the Geological Mon- (1994) – Geological and Landscape Conservation. Proceedings uments of the Aegean is the first attempt towards the of the Malvern International Conference on Geological and recognition of these geosites by the local authorities, inhab- Landscape Conservation, Great Malvern, 1993. The Geological itants, and visitors to the area. Society of London, 530 p. The results on the identification, assessment, protection, Papanikolaou D. (1989) – Are the media crystalline massifs of the promotion and management of geosites in the Lesvos Petri- Eastern Mediterranean drifted gondwanian fragments?. fied Forest Geopark show that geoparks can become the Geological Society of Greece, Special Publication, 1, 63–90. appropriate tool to heighten public awareness of the values of Pe-Piper G., Piper D.J.W. (2002) – The igneous rocks of Greece. geological and geomorphological heritage. The successful The anatomy of an orogen, Gebruder Borntraeger, Berlin, operation of such structures will ensure the protection and Stuttgart, 573 p. promotion of the geological and geomorphological sites and Suss H., Velitzelos E. (1993) – Eine neue Proto-Pinaceae der has the potential to add significantly to local development. Formgattung Pinoxylon KNOWLTON emmend. READ, P. parenchymatosum sr. nov., aus tertiären Schichten der Insel Acknowledgements Limnos, Griechenland. Feddes Repertorium, 104, 335–341. The author is grateful to Prof. Jean-Claude Thouret (Uni- Suss H., Velitzelos E. (1994) – Zwei neue tertiäre Hölzer der versité Blaise Pascal) for his editorial comments and Gattung Pinoxylon KNOWLTON emend. READ aus dem constructive suggestions on the manuscript. The author is Versteinerten Wald von , Griechenland. Feddes also grateful to Prof. Emmanuel Reynard (Université de Repertorium, 105, 403–423. Lausanne) and two anonymous reviewers for their insightful Theodossiou-Drandaki I., Nakov R., Wimbledon W.A.P., Serjani reviews and comments that enabled him to improve upon the A., Neziraj A., Hallaci H., Sijaric G., Begovic P., Petrussenko original manuscript. Sv., Tchoumatchenco Pl., Todorov T., Zagorchev I., Antonov M., Sinnyovski D., Diakantoni A., Fassoulas Ch., Fermeli G., References Galanakis D., Koutsouveli A., Livaditi A., Papadopoulou K., Paschos P., Rassiou A., Skarpelis N., Zouros N., Grigorescu D., Eder W., Patzak M. (2004) – Geoparks - geological attractions: a Andrasanu Al., Hlad Br., Herlec U., Kazanci N., Saroglu F., tool for public education, recreation and sustainable economic Dogan A., Inaner H., Dimitrijevic M., Gavrilovic D., Krstic B., development. Episodes, 27/3, 162–164. Mijovic D. 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Conservation], Digne, France, 11–16 June 1991. Mémoires de la Zouros N., Soulakellis N., Mountrakis D., Velitzelos E. (2004) – Societé géologique de France, numéro spécial 165, 276 p. Mapping, classification and assessment of geotopes in the Mountrakis D. (1986) – The Pelagonian zone in Greece: a Aegean. Proceedings of the 7th Hellenic Geographical polyphase deformed fragment of the Cimmerian continent and Conference, Geographical Society of Greece, 1, 527–534. its role in the geotectonic evolution of East Mediterranean. Journal of Geology 94, 335–347. Article reçu le 6 octobre 2004, accepté le 29 juin 2005

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